CHP’s Andre Moye, Jr., ‘a guy with an amazing smile, sense of humor, and that contagious laugh,’ is mourned

On Tuesday, Aug. 20, family, members of law enforcement, and members of the community paid their final tribute to California Highway Patrol Officer Andre Moye, Jr.

Family, friends and law enforcement personnel from all over California filled the standing-room-only memorial service for Riverside CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church on Aug. 20. People filled the balcony, main floor, and in the overflow room where the service was being broadcasted.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Officer Moye was on a traffic stop in Riverside when he discovered the driver was unlicensed. It was the type of car stop CHP officers conduct every day. As required, the vehicle was being impounded. At some point, the career criminal driver made a decision to arm himself with an assault rifle and attack Moye. Officer Moye was able to radio for help with an immediate response from CHP, the Riverside Sheriff’s and Riverside Police Department.

CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley kneels to present Sara Moye with her husband’s badge during his memorial service at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

But it was too late. Officer Moye’s wounds were fatal. The community lost not only a public servant but a member of the community. Officer Moye was born and raised in the Moreno Valley area. He was known by many and frequently stopped at his mother’s home, which he playfully named his “command post” to have a home-cooked meal while working.

These and many other memories were shared by family, friends and law enforcement leaders during his memorial service. Officer Moye grew up in a blended and loving family. His stepfather, Roberto Solorio, choked back tears as he recalled the time Andre asked if he could call him “Dad” after he married Moye’s mother, Josefa.

“Andre, he will always be my hero,” said Richard Solorio, fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye’s stepfather, who remembered his stepson during a memorial service at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

His younger brother, Michael Solorio, stood proudly at the podium in his CHP police explorer uniform as he recalled his brother. “The word honor does not define the amount of love I have for him nor does it reflect the way I feel about the loss of my best friend,” he said.

Academy mate, CHP Officer Dane Myers, joked about their first days at the CHP academy in a way that brought laughter and as many tears. “On day one of the CHP academy, Aug. 22, 2016, Moye stood directly in front of me and completely wrote me off. I didn’t know until 15 weeks later when I had lost 40 pounds but Moye knew on day one that I was too fat to complete the physical training.”

They would become best friends.

Sarah Moye stood as her friend Olivia Meyers read Sarah’s words for her. “I’ll miss his amazing smile, sense of humor, and that contagious laugh of his. I wish I could feel his arms wrapped tightly around me one more time. He was truly my best friend and the love of my life…”

Lilian Myers, left, shares the thoughts of her friend, Sara Moye, wife of fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr., during a memorial service at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

As the memorial ended, the thousands of officers exited and stood at attention as they saluted their final goodbyes. The CHP mounted unit guided a riderless horse ahead of the casket as helicopters flew by in the missing man formation. In the parking lot, hundreds of motor officers stood by their bikes with lights flashing as the hearse drove from the lot. The internment was a private family affair.

A riderless horse walks past saluting officers before the casket carrying CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. is taken from the church at the conclusion of the memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Andre Moye, Jr. followed his dream to becoming a California Highway Patrol officer. He was exemplary in his job and dedicated to his duty to the very end. But most of all, Officer Moye was just Andre: a loving son, husband and brother. A guy who liked to ride motorcycles and lit up the room with his smile. He loved life and had hopes for the future.

CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley kneels to present Sara Moye with her husband’s badge during his memorial service at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP and other law enforcement officers fill the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside during a memorial service for fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP Honor Guards stand watch as music is played during a memorial service for fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP officers on horseback lead the procession out of the church at the conclusion of memorial services for CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley, left, stands with fellow CHP officers as they wait for the casket holding CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. to pass by at the conclusion of memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

A CHP Honor Guard stands watch over the casket holding CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr., photo behind him, during a memorial services to honor him at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Moye’s cousin, Melissa Lopez, wipes a tear from her face as she talks about CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. during a memorial service.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Law enforcement officers, including those from Garden Grove PD and Anaheim PD, attend the standing room only memorial service, from the upstairs balcony, for CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

With a large photo of Moye on the screen behind him, CHP Chief Bill Dance praises fallen CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. during a memorial service at Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Santa Ana PD officers, including Officer David Enriquez, right, line up to honor CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. just before he is carried from the church memorial service.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP officers line up to salute as the casket carrying CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. is brought out of Harvest Christian Fellowship Church at the conclusion of memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Officers salute as the casket holding the body of CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. is carried from the church at the conclusion of memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Law enforcement helicopters fly over Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in a missing man formation at the conclusion of memorial services for CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

CHP motorcycle officers escort the hearse carrying the body of CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. from the memorial service at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church to the burial site.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Sara Moye, wife of CHP Officer Andre Moye, Jr., is escorted by CHP officers as her husband’s body is carried from the church.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Andre Moye Jr. chose a profession where he willingly put himself in harm’s way in order to make the world safer for all of us. In doing so, evil reached out as he stood his ground and confronted it. He did so at the cost of his life. He did it for all of us, and that can never be forgotten. As they say in the public safety profession, “Rest easy brother, your partners have it from here.”

Honor guards from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department salute as the body of CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. is carried from the church at the conclusion of memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

The casket holding CHP Officer Andre Moye Jr. is carried from the church by CHP pallbearers and his brother, Explorer Michael Solorio, front, at the conclusion of memorial services.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge